By Susanne Reynolds

Special to The Post-Searchlight

It is the time of the year that everybody has been waiting for all year—a time to share the happiness of giving. And with that in mind, Bainbridge State College adopted a family this holiday season through the Secret Santa Program.

The Secret Santa program will help around 170 children this year representing almost 50 families. Families cannot request this help but are referred by caring people who know there is a need and school social workers who work with these families.

Bainbridge State College contributed over six hundred dollars, along with clothes, to make the season brighter for four local children.

During the BSC faculty and staff’s annual holiday party, the gifts were displayed and later wrapped by the employees.

As 2016 “wraps up,” Dr. Stuart Rayfield, the interim BSC President, is proud that the BSC family decided to focus their attention on others in the community this season.

“Oftentimes during the holidays, we get consumed with decorating the house, going to holiday parties, buying presents, wrapping presents, and squeezing in family time. We forget to slow down and enjoy the season,” she said. “As we wrap up a great fall semester at Bainbridge State College, it is a gift for us to focus our attention on others in our community.”

According to Ronnie Burke, the Decatur County Family Connections coordinator, forty percent of children in Decatur County are living in poverty and Bainbridge State College and the Secret Santa Program have “provided some happiness for these children during Christmastime and have shown these families that people care.”

He said, “It couldn’t be done without the generosity of groups like Bainbridge State College. We are very appreciative for what the College has done for this family during the season of giving.”

Bainbridge State College would like to thank Sherry Weaver who coordinates the gift buying and distribution for the Secret Santa Program.